Church History
Information selected from "The Centennial of Methodism in Marion, Virginia 1845-1945", and from information compiled by The Rev. C. Douglas Mayo, dated May 20, 1979.
The Rev. Robertson Gannaway was asked to form the Marion Circuit in 1834-35. Churches from the former Wytheville Circuit and Abingdon Circuit made up the Marion Circuit. At Holston Annual Conference on October 7, 1835, Bishop James O. Andrews assigned the Rev. Robertson Gannaway as the organizing pastor of the circuit, with the Rev. Samuel E. Patton as the Presiding Elder (District Superintendent) of the Abingdon District.
A Methodist Class was organized in Marion consisting of Mr. & Mrs. John W. Schoolfield, Mrs. Dudley, mother of Mrs. Schoolfield; Dr. & Mrs. Miriam Daily, Mrs. Broomfield, Mr. & Mrs. William Francis, Mr. & Mrs. James F. Pendleton, and Mr. & Mrs. F. P. Staley. The Class met for organization in the home of Mr. & Mrs. William Francis.